President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, as the new Public Protector. This after members of the National Assembly last month recommended that Ramaphosa appoint her to the position.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of section 193(4) of Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and on the recommendation of the National Assembly, appointed Advocate Nompilo Kholeka Gcaleka as Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa for a non-renewable term of seven years with effect from 1 November 2023.
The President wishes Advocate Gcaleka well in her position and trust that she will serve the people of South Africa with honor and dedication,” said a statement from the Presidency.
Gcaleka was recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee to head the Chapter 9 institution, following interviews of eight candidates that were held in August.
She received an overwhelming majority of the votes, mainly from African National Congress members and smaller parties, while the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and other smaller parties abstained.
Gcaleka was appointed Deputy Public Protector in 2022, and acted in the position since 2022, after the suspension and impeachment of the then incumbent, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who has since been dismissed.
Mkhwebane, who joined the EFF last month, has since been deployed to the Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee in parliament that will oversee the Public Protector’s office.
Meanwhile, Political Analyst from the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, Dr Bernard Sebake, said he doesn’t see good working relations between Mkhwebane, Committee and Gcaleka.
“The relationships may have fallen apart especially on how she was removed from office by the Committee.
She’s going to be quite critical on Gcaleka, particularly when last she attempted to report to the office, and Gcaleka, as the acting Public Protector, denied her access to the office, and that might have left a vendetta,” said Sebake who was speaking on YouFM News Hour programme.
